Do you feel a bulge around your navel? Then, it is probably an umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia occurs when a part of your intestine pushes through the weak abdominal muscles near the umbilicus (navel). A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that helps treat an umbilical hernia.
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that helps tighten abdominal muscles. It is performed to remove excess skin and creases in the abdomen that form due to aging, pregnancy, rapid weight loss, etc.
Though this is a cosmetic procedure, many people have also begun to seek it to treat health complications like hernia. In this article, we’ll discuss the tummy tuck procedure and how it helps treat umbilical hernia.
What is umbilical hernia repair with mini tummy tuck?
An umbilical hernia repair with a mini tummy tuck refers to using the tummy tuck procedure to repair an umbilical hernia. This procedure is fairly easy and can be used to simultaneously repair the hernia and tighten your abdominal muscles.
During this procedure, the weak abdominal wall causing the umbilical hernia will be tightened. Excess skin and fat will also be removed during this procedure, making it a good option for both hernia patients and obese patients with excess tummy fat.
Is umbilical hernia repair with a mini tummy tuck possible?
Yes, an umbilical hernia repair with a mini tummy tuck is absolutely possible. Below are the steps followed during the procedure.
- This is a surgical procedure, so you will given anesthesia. The entire surgery may take about 2–4 hours.
- The skin on your upper and lower abdomens is tightened to facilitate an incision.
- A curved incision is made in your lower abdomen, just above where pubic hair starts growing. Since it is a mini tummy tuck procedure, a small incision is made below the navel. (if it is a general tummy tuck, the incision will extend from one side of the hip to another).
- The skin and fatty tissue are lifted from the abdomen.
- The herniated organ is pushed back to its place, the excess fat and tissue are removed, and the abdominal muscles are tightened.
- After this, the lifted skin is pulled downward and sutured tight and smooth. The excess skin is trimmed off.
The surgery is safe, and your abdomen will return back to normal after recovery. You can use scar-fading creams to remove the surgical scars if you wish to remove them.
Can a Tummy Tuck Cause a Hernia?
Though a tummy tuck procedure is generally safe, you might encounter some complications in the future. These complications are very uncommon and only happen in a few patients.
One such complication that may arise from an abdominoplasty is hernia. During an abdominoplasty, a small incision is made to remove the excess skin and fat from the abdomen.
This incision will be sutured after the procedure. However, this suture can weaken the surrounding abdominal muscles and cause a hernia. Some factors that can cause hernia after a tummy tuck surgery are
- Weight lifting,
- Smoking,
- Obesity, and
- Poor wound healing.
Another possibility is that the hernia was already present but is only visible now after the excess skin and fat are removed.
Benefits of umbilical hernia repair with mini tummy tuck
There are many benefits involved in undergoing a mini tummy tuck surgery.
- It is a low-risk surgery and has minimal side effects.
- The hernia recurrence rate is very low at less than 5%.
- This technique is ideal for obese patients with umbilical hernia. They can treat both obesity and hernia in a single procedure.
What are the risks involved in this Treatment?
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is comparatively safer than other procedures. However, it might have some complications that you might get during a typical surgery. Some risks involved in this procedure are
- Increased surgery time,
- Infection,
- Excessive bleeding,
- Formation of blood clots,
- Vessel injury,
- Delayed healing of wounds, and
- Impaired blood flow.
If you experience any of these after your tummy tuck surgery, immediately consult your surgeon and get it treated.
When is umbilical hernia repair with a mini tummy tuck recommended?
Hernia surgeries are based on the patient’s preference. They can either choose to repair the hernia alone or include cosmetic corrections in the procedure. A tummy tuck procedure is especially helpful for hernia patients who have undergone pregnancies or are having loose and saggy skin and are obese.
Conclusion
A tummy tuck procedure might seem like a serious one with many complications. But is a simple procedure that many men and women undergo to treat their hernia or for cosmetic purposes.
If you are still concerned about the procedure, talk with your hernia surgeon and understand everything about the procedure. You can choose then if you wish to undergo it or not.
FAQs
There are many benefits involved in undergoing a mini tummy tuck surgery.
- It is a low-risk surgery and has minimal side effects.
- The hernia recurrence rate is very low at less than 5%.
- This technique is ideal for obese patients with umbilical hernia. They can treat both obesity and hernia in a single procedure.
No, undergoing a mini tummy tuck does not alter the appearance of your belly button. The incision is made a few inches under your belly button, so it won’t affect its appearance. Once the surgery is completed, the incision is closed and recovers to its normal state.
A mini tummy tuck only treats the loose skin and fat present below the belly button. If you wish to remove skin and fat both above and below the belly button, you might need to undergo a full abdominoplasty. Discuss with your doctor and choose the procedure that suits your needs.
